Japan stuns Spain 4-0 to top Group C while Zambia earns first ever Women’s World Cup win

Hinata Miyazawa and her teammates celebrate scoring Japan’s third goal against Spain.

Amanda Perobelli/Reuters

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Japan provided one of the performances of the Women’s World Cup so far to stun Spain 4-0 in Wellington on Monday.

A first-half brace from Hinata Miyazawa either side of a deflected shot from Riko Ueki had Japan 3-0 ahead by the 40th minute as its tactic of catching Spain on the counterattack paid dividends in this Group C match

Despite Spanish pressure and possession, Japan further extended the lead through a late Mina Tanaka goal to close out an impressive win.

By topping the group Japan will now face Norway in the last 16 round of the tournament on Saturday. Spain will play Switzerland on the same day.

Meanwhile in Hamilton, Zambia earned its first ever Women’s World Cup victory thanks to a 3-1 win over Costa Rica.

Lushomo Mweemba scored the country’s first ever goal at the tournament through a delightful volley directly from a corner before Barbra Banda doubled the lead from the penalty spot. Banda’s penalty was the 1,000th Women’s World Cup goal.

Although an error from Zambia goalkeeper Catherine Musonda gave Costa Rica a route back into the game, with Melissa Herrera scoring, Zambia secured a famous victory with Racheal Kundananji wrapping up the evening in fine fashion with her late goal in added time.

Brazil’s Marta, right, competes against Jamaica’s Tiernny Wiltshire during a Women’s World Cup match on Wednesday, August 2. The two teams drew 0-0, but it was Jamaica that advanced to the knockout stage of the tournament. This was the last World Cup for Marta, the tournament’s record scorer and veteran of six tournaments.

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Jamaica’s Deneisha Blackwood celebrates with teammates after the draw with Brazil.

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Marta reacts after Brazil’s elimination.

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France’s Vicki Becho celebrates after scoring her team’s sixth goal against Panama on August 2. France won 6-3 to advance to the knockout stage.

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Panama players spend time with fans after the France match. This was Panama’s first year playing at a Women’s World Cup.

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France’s Maëlle Lakrar celebrates after scoring her team’s first goal against Panama.

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South Africa’s Linda Motlhalo celebrates her team’s 3-2 win over Italy on August 2. It was South Africa’s first-ever win at a Women’s World Cup, and it helped them clinch a spot in the next round. Italy was eliminated with the loss.

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South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana tries to hold off Italy’s Elena Linari.

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Italy’s Arianna Caruso celebrates after scoring against South Africa.

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Sweden’s Elin Rubensson celebrates after scoring from the penalty spot against Argentina on August 2. Sweden won 2-0.

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Sweden’s Rebecka Blomqvist heads the ball for a goal against Argentina.

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Argentina’s Florencia Bonsegundo lies on the pitch after getting injured against Sweden.

Abbie Parr/AP

England’s Chloe Kelly celebrates after scoring against China on Tuesday, August 1. England won 6-1 to advance to the tournament’s round of 16.

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England’s Rachel Daly, right, scores the sixth goal against China.

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Chinese forward Wang Shuang, left, celebrates with Yang Lina after scoring against England.

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Chinese defender Yao Wei, right, blocks a shot from England’s Lucy Bronze.

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Pernille Harder celebrates after scoring the first goal of Denmark’s 2-0 victory over Haiti on August 1. The win, coupled with China’s defeat against England, meant Denmark would advance to the knockout stage and face co-host Australia.

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Denmark’s Amalie Vangsgaard shields the ball from Haiti’s Ruthny Mathurin.

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Haiti fans cheer their team at the stadium in Perth, Australia.

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Haiti’s Melchie Dumornay, left, gets tangled with Denmark’s Simone Boye.

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US forward Sophia Smith heads the ball during the goalless draw against Portugal on August 1. The result meant that the Americans, the two-time defending champions, would advance to the round of 16.

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Megan Rapinoe consoles Portugal’s Jessica Silva following the draw, which knocked Portugal out of the competition.

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US forward Alex Morgan collides with Portuguese goalkeeper Inês Pereira in the first half.

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US fans show their support ahead of the Portugal match.

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US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher collides with the post.

Andrew Cornaga/AP

Referee Rebecca Welch shows a yellow card to US midfielder Rose Lavelle.

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Dutch midfielder Wieke Kaptein takes a selfie with fans after the Netherlands defeated Vietnam 7-0 and advanced to the knockout stage.

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Vietnamese players Trần Thị Thu Thảo, left, and Dương Thị Vân react after the loss to the Netherlands.

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Dutch forward Katja Snoeijs celebrates her team’s first goal, which was scored by Lieke Martens.

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The Netherlands’ Sherida Spitse, top, and Vietnam’s Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhã compete for the ball.

Alessandra Tarantino/AP

Australian defender Stephanie Catley, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring her team’s fourth goal against Canada on Monday, July 31. Australia won 4-0 to book a spot in the round of 16.

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Australia fans in Melbourne celebrate after the Canada match.

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Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan makes a save against Australia. Canada was eliminated because of the loss and Nigeria’s goalless draw against Ireland.

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Australia’s Hayley Raso, right, celebrates after scoring her side’s second goal against Canada.

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Ireland’s Lily Agg, right, battles for the ball with Nigeria’s Uchenna Kanu during a 0-0 draw on July 31.

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Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala, center, misses a chance against Ireland.

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A fan shows support for the Nigerian team during the match in Brisbane, Australia.

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Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie and Ireland’s Kyra Carusa react after a collision.

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Japanese players celebrate at the end of their 4-0 victory over Spain on July 31. Both teams are advancing to the round of 16.

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Fans of Japan help clean after the match in Wellington, New Zealand. Japan’s fans have become known in recent years for their efforts to clean stands after matches.

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Japan’s Hikaru Naomoto, top, and Spain’s Ona Batlle compete for the ball.

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Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa, second from left, celebrates scoring the team’s third goal with Honoka Hayashi, left, and Risa Shimizu.

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Costa Rican players appeal to referee Bouchra Karboubi before a VAR check on July 31. Zambia beat Costa Rica 3-1. It was Zambia’s first-ever win at a Women’s World Cup.

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Zambia’s Barbra Banda celebrates after scoring her team’s second goal from the penalty spot.

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Costa Rican midfielder Melissa Herrera, right, scores her team’s lone goal.

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Costa Rica’s Fabiola Villalobos, left, takes a shot at goal as Zambia’s Racheal Kundananji attempts to block.

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Colombia’s Manuela Vanegas celebrates her team’s winning goal against Germany on Sunday, June 30. The goal came in the final seconds of the match and lifted Colombia to a 2-1 victory.

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Germany’s Alexandra Popp and Colombia’s Jorelyn Carabalí battle for the ball.

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Vanegas marks Germany’s Jule Brand.

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Germany fans attend the match against Colombia.

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Linda Caicedo celebrates after scoring Colombia’s opener against Germany.

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Norway celebrates a goal in its 6-0 victory over the Philippines on July 30. The victory helped Norway clinch a spot in the knockout stage.

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The Philippines’ Dominique Randle, center, consoles a teammate after the loss to Norway. The Philippines, playing in its first Women’s World Cup, was eliminated with the loss to Norway.

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The Philippines’ Hali Long makes a heart with her hands at the end of the Norway match.

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Philippines goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel fails to stop Norway’s Caroline Graham Hansen from scoring the third goal of the match.

Abbie Parr/AP

Norway’s Sophie Roman Haug is challenged by Jessika Cowart.

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Philippines fans cheer for their team before the match against Norway.

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Ali Riley and Katie Bowen hug after New Zealand was knocked out of the tournament on July 30. The co-hosts drew Switzerland 0-0, but they will miss the knockout stage because of goal differential.

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Bowen clears the ball in front of Switzerland’s Julia Stierli.

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Swiss forward Ramona Bachmann controls the ball against New Zealand.

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Moroccan players celebrate their 1-0 win over South Korea on July 30.

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Morocco’s Nouhaila Benzina, the first player to wear a hijab at a World Cup, is shown a yellow card by referee Edina Alves Batista.

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Morocco’s Ibtissam Jraidi controls the ball before shooting on goal.

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Panama’s Aldrith Quintero, right, reaches for the ball in front of Jamaica’s Deneisha Blackwood and Kameron Simmonds on Saturday, July 29. Jamaica won 1-0. It was Jamaica’s first-ever win at a Women’s World Cup.

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Jamaican players celebrate after Allyson Swaby scored against Panama.

Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters

French coach Herve Renard kisses defender Wendie Renard on the forehead after her winning goal secured a 2-1 win against Brazil on July 29.

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Brazil’s Debinha celebrates her goal against France.

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Renard celebrates with teammates after scoring her team’s second goal.

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Sweden’s Amanda Ilestedt, center, heads the ball to score the opening goal against Italy on July 29. Sweden won 5-0 to clinch a spot in the round of 16.

John Cowpland/AP

Sweden’s Rebecka Blomqvist celebrates after scoring her side’s fifth goal against Italy.

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Italy fans cheer before their team’s match against Sweden in Wellington, New Zealand.

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China’s Wang Shuang celebrates after scoring against Haiti on Friday, July 28. China won 1-0.

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Haiti’s Melchie Dumornay, left, collides with China’s Dou Jiaxing on July 28.

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England’s Chloe Kelly attempts a bicycle kick versus Denmark on July 28. England won 1-0.

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England goalkeeper Mary Earps makes a save against Denmark.

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Denmark’s Janni Thomsen, left, collides with England’s Alex Greenwood.

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Lauren James celebrates after scoring against Denmark.

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England’s Keira Walsh is stretchered off after sustaining an injury. Walsh, England’s midfield metronome, went down clutching her knee with no other player in her vicinity

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South Africa’s Bambanani Mbane slides in for a tackle against Argentina’s Mariana Larroquette on July 28. Their match ended in a 2-2 draw.

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Argentina striker Yamila Rodriguez has received criticism for her Cristiano Ronaldo tattoo, the rival of Argentina star Lionel Messi.

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South Africa’s Linda Motlhalo celebrates with teammates after scoring her team’s first goal against Argentina. South Africa led 2-0 before Argentina’s dramatic comeback.

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Onome Ebi, left, and Osinachi Ohale celebrate after Nigeria defeated Australia 3-2 on Thursday, July 27. The stunning result means Nigeria has a one-point lead going into its final group game against already eliminated Ireland, while co-host Australia faces a must-win match against Canada.

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Players from Australia and Nigeria compete for a ball in the air on July 27.

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese takes a selfie with fans before the Nigeria match in Brisbane.

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Portugal forward Jéssica Silva, right, watches a shot go wide during a match against Vietnam on July 27. Portugal won 2-0, eliminating Vietnam’s hopes of advancing in the tournament.

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Portugal’s Telma Encarnação reaches for the ball during the Vietnam match.

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Vietnam fans show their support before the Portugal match.

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Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar grabs the ball over the United States’ Julie Ertz during their 1-1 draw on July 27.

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US fans react during the Netherlands match, which was played in Wellington, New Zealand.

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US midfielder Lindsey Horan celebrates after scoring against the Netherlands. It was her second goal of the tournament.

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Horan’s header tied the match after the Dutch took an early lead.

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More than 27,000 fans attended the Netherlands-US match.

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Canada’s Vanessa Gilles competes for a header with Ireland’s Niamh Fahey, bottom, and Louise Quinn during a match on July 26. Canada won 2-1.

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Ireland’s Katie McCabe applauds fans after the match against Canada.

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Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan can’t get to a McCabe corner kick that went directly into the goal to give Ireland a 1-0 lead. The incredible “Olimpico” goal came in just the fourth minute of play.

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Canadian forward Adriana Leon celebrates after scoring her team’s second goal against Ireland.

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Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso is thrown in the air by teammates as they celebrate their 5-0 victory over Zambia on July 26. With the win, Spain clinched a spot in the tournament’s knockout round.

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Hermoso, left, scores her first of two goals in the win over Zambia.

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Spain fans enjoy the Zambia match at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.

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Spain’s Alexia Putellas consoles Zambia’s Mary Wilombe after the match. Zambia still had one match to play, but it was not going to be able to advance to the knockout stage.

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Japan’s Hikaru Naomoto, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal in the 2-0 victory over Costa Rica on July 26. It was Japan’s second win in as many games, and it clinched a spot in the knockout stage.

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Japan’s Mina Tanaka heads the ball toward the Costa Rican goal.

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Japan fans react during the match against Costa Rica, which took place at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Alessandra Tarantino/AP

Costa Rican goalkeeper Daniela Solera is shaken up during a play against Japan. She was able to continue.

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Switzerland players, in red, defend their box during a match against Norway on July 25. The match ended in a 0-0 draw.

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Rain pours down during the Norway-Switzerland match.

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People in Indigenous dress perform during a welcome ceremony that was held before Norway-Switzerland.

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Philippines midfielder Sarina Bolden celebrates scoring against New Zealand on July 25. Bolden’s first-half header lifted her country to a 1-0 victory — its first win ever at a Women’s World Cup.

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New Zealand’s Hannah Wilkinson attempts to head the ball past Philippines goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel during their match on July 25.

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Bolden scores on New Zealand keeper Victoria Esson.

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Philippines fans show their support during the team’s first-ever win at a Women’s World Cup.

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Colombia’s Catalina Usme celebrates with teammates after scoring her team’s first goal against South Korea on July 25. Colombia won 2-0.

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South Korea’s Cho So-hyun, bottom left, competes for the ball against Colombia’s Jorelyn Carabali and Carolina Arias.

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Colombia fans show their support in Sydney.

Carl Recine/Reuters

Usme tries to control the ball in front of South Korea’s Kim Hye-ri.

Carl Recine/Reuters

Colombia midfielder Manuela Vanegas receives a yellow card from referee Rebecca Welch.

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Brazil’s Marta, left, heads the ball during a match against Panama on July 24. Brazil won 4-0.

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Brazil’s Ary Borges celebrates her third goal during the Panama. Her hat trick was the first of the tournament.

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Brazilian fans watch the match against Panama, which was held in Adelaide, Australia.

James Elsby/AP

Moroccan goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi tries to punch the ball away during a match against Germany on July 24. Germany dominated Morocco 6-0 in what was the biggest scoreline of the tournament so far.

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Germany’s Alexandra Popp celebrates scoring a goal against Morocco.

Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters

Germany fans celebrate as their team gets off to a great start.

Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters

Morocco’s Fatima Tagnaout runs during the match against Germany.

Hamish Blair/AP

Italy’s Cristiana Girelli celebrates after scoring a late winner against Argentina on July 24. Italy won 1-0.

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Italian goalkeeper Francesca Durante makes a save during the match against Argentina.

Abbie Parr/AP

Argentina coach German Portanova reacts during the Italy match.

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Italy’s Giulia Dragoni is challenged by Estefania Banini of Argentina. At the age of 16, Dragoni became the youngest player to represent Italy in the competition’s history.

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Jamaican players celebrate on July 23, after their 0-0 draw against France earned them their country’s first-ever point in the Women’s World Cup.

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Jamaica’s Atlanta Primus tugs the shirt of France’s Grace Geyoro.

Mark Baker/AP

Jamaican goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer marshals her defense.

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Jamaica’s Khadija “Bunny” Shaw is sent off for a second bookable offense against France.

Mark Baker/AP

France’s Estelle Cascarino, left, and Shaw battle for the ball.

Mark Baker/AP

Portugal’s Ines Pereira dives in vain as the Netherlands’ Stefanie van der Gragt, not pictured, scores the only goal in the match on July 23.

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Van der Gragt, left, and Portugal’s Jessica Silva battle for possession.

Alessandra Tarantino/AP

Silva signs autographs for fans after the match.

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Sweden’s Amanda Ilestedt celebrates after scoring a late winner against South Africa on July 23. Sweden won 2-1.

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South Africa’s Hildah Magaia, who scored the opening goal, runs with the ball alongside Sweden’s Elin Rubensson.

Amanda Perobelli/Reuters

A South Africa fan shows support during the match.

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Danish players celebrate Amalie Vangsgaard’s late goal that gave them a 1-0 victory over China on July 22.

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China fans show their support prior to their team’s opening match against Denmark.

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China’s Zhang Linyan competes for the ball with Denmark’s Pernille Harder.

Gary Day/AP

China head coach Shui Qingxia gestures during the match.

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England’s Alessia Russo and Haiti’s Tabita Joseph fight for the ball during the two sides’ opening game on July 22. England’s Lionesses, the reigning European champions, earned a scrappy 1-0 victory over the tournament debutants.

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England’s Georgia Stanway converts the winner against Haiti from the penalty spot.

Dan Peled/Reuters

Nicolas Delépine, Haiti’s head coach, instructs his team during the match.

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Haiti goalkeeper Kerly Theus jumps to make one of many impressive saves against England.

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Japan’s Jun Endo celebrates with her bench after scoring her team’s fourth goal in a 5-0 win against Zambia on July 22.

John Cowpland/AP

Japan’s Mina Tanaka battles with Zambia’s Agnes Musase.

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Aoba Fujino of Japan is brought down by Zambian goalkeeper Catherine Musonda, resulting in a penalty to Japan. It was later overturned due to offside.

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Japan supporters react following their team’s emphatic victory over Zambia.

John Cowpland/AP

US forward Alex Morgan is surrounded by Vietnam defenders during their opening match on July 22. The United States, the two-time defending champs, won 3-0.

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Lindsey Horan, left, celebrates with US teammate Megan Rapinoe after Horan scored the third goal against Vietnam.

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Players collide in the box as Vietnam goalkeeper Trần Thị Kim Thanh looks to clear the ball away.

Rafaela Pontes/AP

US forward Sophia Smith dribbles the ball against Vietnam. She scored the first two goals of the match.

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Fans cheer during the US-Vietnam match in Auckland, New Zealand.

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Spain’s Esther González wins a header against Costa Rica’s Mariana Benavides on July 21. Spain won 3-0.

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González scores her team’s third goal against Costa Rica.

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A Māori welcoming ceremony is held prior to the Spain-Costa Rica match.

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Switzerland’s Seraina Piubel scores her team’s second goal during its 2-0 victory against the Philippines on July 21.

Molly Darlington/Reuters

The Philippines’ Katrina Guillou takes a shot against Switzerland’s Gaëlle Thalmann. The goal was disallowed.

Molly Darlington/Reuters

A Philippines fan enjoys the pre-match atmosphere. This was the country’s Women’s World Cup debut.

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Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan punches the ball clear during a 0-0 draw against Nigeria on July 21.

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Nigeria’s Uchenna Kanu takes a selfie with fans after the Canada match.

Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters

Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie clears the ball after saving a penalty by Canada’s Christine Sinclair.

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Australia’s Steph Catley, third from left, celebrates scoring her team’s only goal against Ireland on June 20. Australia won 1-0 in Sydney.

Carl Recine/Reuters

Fans in Melbourne celebrate as they watch the match between Australia and Ireland.

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Ireland’s Heather Payne, left, tries to cross the ball past Australia’s Kyra Cooney-Cross. This was Ireland’s first-ever match in a Women’s World Cup.

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Supporters of both Australia and Ireland watch the match in Sydney. The second match of this year’s tournament set a new single-game attendance record for a women’s soccer match in Australia, with 75,784 fans watching.

Jaimi Joy/Reuters

Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold makes a save.

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New Zealand’s Ria Percival and Katie Bowen, in black, compete for the ball with Norway’s Caroline Graham Hansen on July 20. New Zealand won the opening match 1-0. It was the country’s first-ever win at a Women’s World Cup.

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Norway star Ada Hegerberg reacts after a missed chance against New Zealand.

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New Zealand’s CJ Bott, left, and Norway’s Mathilde Harviken vie for the ball.

Abbie Parr/AP

New Zealand fans react during the match against Norway, which was played in Auckland, New Zealand.

Andrew Cornaga/AP

Norway players huddle before the match against New Zealand.

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Fireworks explode during the tournament’s opening ceremony, which was held before the New Zealand-Norway match.

Buda Mendes/Getty Images

The roughly 10-minute opening ceremony celebrated both New Zealand and Australia’s indigenous heritage and culture, with Māori and First Nations dancers and singers taking to the center of the field.

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Dancers perform during the opening ceremony at Auckland’s Eden Park.

Abbie Parr/AP

Performers dance during the opening ceremony.

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A performer is pictured during the opening ceremony.

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Benee and Mallrat perform “Do It Again,” the official song of this year’s Women’s World Cup, during the opening ceremony. Benee is from New Zealand and Mallrat is from Australia.

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Dancers take the field during the opening ceremony.

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Children hold flags during the opening ceremony.

David Rowland/Reuters

The best photos of the 2023 Women's World Cup

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Group C wrapped up

Prior to Monday’s game, both Japan and Spain had already booked their slots in the tournament’s knockout stages, with this match to decide who would top Group C.

Japan might have made five changes to the team that had beaten Costa Rica in its previous game, but the Asian side’s impressive tactical discipline and energetic defending restricted any clear openings for Spain, despite the European team dominating possession.

Japan looked dangerous on the counterattack and in the 12th minute, Miyazawa capitalized on a beautifully weighted pass from Jun Endo to race through on goal, slotting the ball past Misa Rodríguez in goal as Spain conceded for the first time at this year’s tournament.

Ueki doubled the Nadeshiko’s lead on the half-hour mark, once again punishing La Roja in a swift counterattack with her deflected effort evading a despairing Rodríguez.

The counterattacking strategy continued to pay dividends for Japan with Miyazawa expertly finishing a few minutes before halftime.

And sespite Spanish pressure, it was Japan who got the next goal, Tanaka adding a fourth to further embarrass the European team.

Japan’s last 16 meeting against Norway in the next round of the tournament will see the 2011 world champion – the Asian side beat the US Women’s National Team in that final – take on the 1995 world champion.

Costa Rica and Zambia entered Monday’s game knowing that although both sides’ qualification hopes had gone, the possibility of a first ever Women’s World Cup win was up for grabs.

Banda scores Zambia’s second goal against Costa Rica from the penalty.

Phil Walter/Getty Images

Mweemba’s exquisite volley in the opening five minutes had the Copper Queens well on their way before Banda – having been fouled in the box by Katherine Alvarado – further extending Zambia’s lead.

Costa Rica ramped up the pressure after the interval and found a route back into the game thanks to a mistake from Musonda, allowing Herrera to score Costa Rica’s first goal at this year’s tournament.

Herrera thought she had brought Costa Rica level when she scored in the 69th minute, only for the offside flag to rule out her effort.

In added time, Kundananji capped off a memorable evening for Zambia, placing the ball past the Costa Rican goalkeeper to send the Zambia fans wild in celebration as their team completed this historic victory.